Auto Insurance Reviews

Updated February 2015

Car insurance is a necessary evil, but when you need to use it, the experience should be reliable and as pain-free as possible. The best auto insurance should provide flexible policy options, a smooth claims experience and helpful representatives. It should also give you the best rates for your particular circumstances so you're getting good value for your money as well. ConsumerSearch analyzes hundreds of expert and policyholder reviews to recommend the best car insurance.

Best auto insurance company

Customers say low-profile Amica Mutual provides solid service and a smooth claims-resolution experience from initial claim filing, through the appraisal, and continuing through the entire repair process. Available everywhere but Hawaii, Amica Mutual boasts a wide variety of policies and discounts and offers home and life insurance as well. Customer service is reported as friendly and helpful, and the company stands on solid financial footing.
See our full review

Cheap car insurance

When it comes to price and value, very few companies can compete with GEICO, which gets excellent marks for their low rates and wide range of flexible plans. They offer discounts for military personnel, safe drivers, good students and multiple policies. Reviews are more mixed for the claims process and the purchase experience, but if price is your number one priority, GEICO may be your best choice.

Best auto insurance for military families

USAA earns top ratings in several national surveys for customer service and low-hassle claims. Available only to military families, USAA maintains a nationwide reach, flexible policies and a good variety of discounts. The company has a strong financial rating, and agents are available by phone or online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customer service gets particularly good reviews for having helpful and knowledgeable representatives.
See our full review

Best auto insurance for risky drivers

As the largest auto insurer in the country, State Farm has policy options for drivers of all stripes -- including those with a spottier record on the road. It has strong financial ratings and gets good reviews for its availability of local agents, although help is also accessible 24/7 online or by phone. Its claims service is considered one of the most prompt and reliable of any.
See our full review

Safe driving program for teens

There are very few life events more nerve-wracking than putting your teen in the driver's seat for the first time. With Esurance DriveSafe, you may be able to breathe a little easier. It does not affect your insurance rate (or your teen's) one way or the other; rather, it helps you monitor and control what your teen does behind the wheel, helping them to develop safe driving habits from the very start.

See a side-by-side comparison of key features, product specs, and prices.

Shop around for the best protection and value

Turn on your TV for 5 minutes and you'll probably see a commercial for car insurance. Some of them are more entertaining than the shows they interrupt. The reason there are so many ads is because it's very easy for people to change car insurance companies; and when you do, they want you to remember their jingle, spokesman or woman, Or lizard.

The fact is that you absolutely should shop around for car insurance. What we've learned in preparing this report is that once a company has you, they're more than happy to raise your rates, a bit here and a bit there, or maybe even quite a bit. They're hoping you won't notice, won't question, or they're relying on inertia -- that you'll just sort of let things slide and stick with the status quo. Car insurance companies also will not check your premiums on a regular basis to see if changes in the industry or pricing algorithm (which happen with surprising frequency) might result in a lower rate if applied to your circumstances. That means you have to do your own homework. At least once a year, at a minimum, experts say, you should get auto insurance quotes. The ideal time to do so is shortly after a birthday, as your age is an important factor in how much you are charged. If you find a lower rate elsewhere, see if your current insurer will match it. Chances are that they will. It costs you absolutely nothing but time, and with the plethora of online quotes sites, it won't take much of that either.

There are a variety of factors that will determine what you pay for car insurance, including where you live, your age, driving history, type of vehicle and your credit score. You may also qualify for various discounts, or benefit from bundling -- that is buying other policies from the same company, such as home, boat, motorcycle or life insurance.

Types of auto insurance

The most basic kind of car insurance is liability coverage. If you're at fault in an accident, this pays for the damage you do to others, both bodily and property. All states require licensed car owners to carry some level of liability coverage (with the exception of NH, which allows you to opt out if you can prove you have sufficient financial resources).

Collision insurance covers the cost to fix your own car after an accident, but may not always be necessary if your car is fully paid for and has a low resale value. You can save money if you can opt out of this, but you can only do so if there's no lien on your car.

Comprehensive insurance covers non-accident-related catastrophes, such as vehicle theft or storm damage. It also covers lesser incidents, such as if a rock flies up and breaks your windshield; however, if your policy has a high deductible, that type of claim might not be worth filing.

Uninsured/underinsured insurance can protect you if you get into an accident with someone who has no insurance -- or not enough -- and lacks the money to pay out of pocket.

Medical and personal-injury insurance can pay for injuries sustained in an accident.

There are many extras you can purchase as well, often for very little, such as reimbursement for a rental car while your vehicle sits in the shop, towing, or roadside assistance.

Some tips when looking for insurance

For good drivers, smaller companies may be a better bet. Policyholders say these companies offer a more personal approach than big insurers, especially if you form a relationship with a local agent, and smaller insurance companies often are rated more highly. However, many smaller insurers only do business in certain states. They may also be pickier about their policyholders, accepting only those with sterling driving records.

If your driving record isn't spotless, big companies are worth a look. National insurance companies typically offer a wider variety of policies, so they can take on riskier drivers -- though your rates will be higher than drivers with a clean record. That last part is especially true of drivers that companies are required to cover under state "assigned risk" programs, which secure insurance coverage for anyone legally eligible to drive. On the plus side, bigger companies tend to have higher financial ratings, meaning they're most likely to have the cash on hand to pay all their obligations, and representatives are often available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Drivers in military families have additional options. A handful of companies cater exclusively to active-duty military, veterans and their families. Some insurers also offer coverage options and discounts exclusively for servicemen and women. For instance, companies may offer breaks on rates during deployments, saving you from canceling your insurance and creating a lapse in coverage, which can make getting new insurance tricky.

How we found the best car insurance companies

Comparing auto insurance companies isn't quite like looking at physical products, like vacuums, simply because there are so many variables. Customer reviews aren't easy to come by, and many people only post complaints, not compliments. However, J.D. Power and Associates conduct several large satisfaction surveys that are helpful in choosing the best car insurance companies. ConsumerReports.org has a similar survey-based roundup, rating auto insurance companies on claims satisfaction, price and service. Insure.com is the best, most recently updated source of consumer reviews; and Viewpoints.com has reviews going back several years that also provide a helpful snapshot. The result of our research is a wide range of choices in your car insurance coverage. We recommend taking a look at our recommended companies, comparing them to each other, to find the perfect coverage for your car and your budget.

Elsewhere in this report:

Best Auto Insurance Company: There are some car insurance companies that just stand head and shoulders above the rest for claims settlements and customer service. We also found a highly affordable option.

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